I. ˈmē-nē-əl, -nyəl noun
Date: 14th century
: a person doing menial work ; specifically : a domestic servant or retainer
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English meynial, from Anglo-French meignal, from mesnee, mayné household, retinue, from Vulgar Latin * mansionata, from Latin mansion-, mansio dwelling — more at mansion
Date: 15th century
1. : of or relating to servants : lowly
2.
a. : appropriate to a servant : humble , servile
answered in menial tones
b. : lacking interest or dignity
a menial task
• me·nial·ly adverb